McDonogh 35 wide receiver Charles Henderson faced a difficult decision this week, accept an official scholarship offer from Tulane where family and friends could make a short drive across town from New Orleans East to the Superdome to watch him play football, or follow his heart on an 1,800-mile adventure to the Great Salt Lake Valley that rests in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains.

Henderson chose adventure and the unknown by verbally committing to play for Coach Kyle Whittingham and the University of Utah, despite never having stepped foot on the Utes' Salt Lake City campus.

Henderson, 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, with 4.4 speed in the 40, became Utah's seventh commitment and the third wide receiver secured by Utes of the Mountain West Conference on Monday night when he delivered his pledge via telephone to quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson and co-Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick.

Entering his fourth season as a starting receiver, Henderson was an All-District 10-4A selection as a junior and helped the Roneagles to a district championship and advance to the second round of the state playoffs. He is fully qualified academically with a 19 on the ACT, McDonogh 35 Coach Wayne Reese said. Henderson's other official offers were from ULL and ULM.

"It would have been great if I had stayed locally and (family and friends) could have seen me play,'' Henderson said Wednesday night. "I just really wanted to go off and experience something else. Hopefully, my family and friends will get to see me play there, too,''

The opportunity of playing slot receiver in Utah's pass-oriented Spread offense and possibly return punts and kickoffs for a perennial bowl-bound program were major selling points.

"I liked the coaches, I liked the program. It seemed like a real good fit for me, somewhere I can go and play and showcase my talent,'' said Henderson, who added that he is solid in his commitment and expects to make an unofficial visit to Utah later this summer.

Henderson's bold choice created considerable trepidation for his mother, Nadine.

"I talked to his mother and she was saying how Utah is so far and that they could walk to Tulane,'' Reese said. "But we told her that it's not our decision. Charles is bright enough to make up his own mind. This is his decision. I guess like some kids he wants to get away, but he also wants to play in a big-time program.''

Henderson was recruited by Johnson, Utah's new quarterbacks coach, who proved to be a persuasive recruiter, Reese said. Johnson joined Whittingham's staff in January after finishing his playing career as the winningest quarterback in Utes history. Johnson led Utah to a 13-0 record, Sugar Bowl victory against Alabama in which he was named the game's MVP and a No. 2 national ranking in 2008.

Utah and Johnson also are making a strong bid for McDonogh 35's All-Metro cornerback Devon White. White also has offers from Kentucky, Mississippi State and Tulsa.

Henderson is the state's 14th player to commit to a FBS school and the second McDonogh 35 player to do so in the last three weeks. Quarterback Theltus Cobbins committed to Kentucky on May 19. Henderson also is the state's fourth wide receiver to become a FBS commitment and the second to choose an out-of-state school.

"He's got great vertical ability,'' Reese said of Henderson. "He's a player who can run and jump. He just outruns you. His separation, his burst to get away, those are things that set him apart. He creates separation. He's a very good route runner. He has all of the things you're looking for in a receiver to take to the next level. He also can return punts, that's where his money is. He's just a very, very good athlete.''

Notes: Popular former Saints assistant coach John Pease is assistant head coach and defensive line coach for Utah.